THE Olivier award-winning thriller The 39 Steps receives its in-the-round UK premiere at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) this month.
Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of the legendary book and movie played for nine years in London’s West End before two years on Broadway and then in more than 39 countries.
It is a brilliant, fast-moving spoof, including legendary scenes such as the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape from the Forth Bridge, the first-ever theatrical bi-plane crash and a death-defying (well nearly) finale.
Director Paul Robinson said: “This gripping and hilarious four-person whodunit was an original idea of North Country Theatre before being adapted by Patrick Barlow who turned it into a global smash.
“Now, The 39 Steps makes its return to North Yorkshire after an absence of over 20 years – and we can’t wait to share it with our audience.”
Paul joined the SJT as artistic director in the summer of 2016, since when he has directed The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, Goth Weekend, and two Christmas shows – Pinocchio and A (Scarborough) Christmas Carol.
Paul’s creative team comprises designer Helen Coyston, who also designed the recent A (Scarborough) Christmas Carol and Goth Weekend at the SJT; lighting designer Jason Taylor, who has worked on many productions at the SJT; and Simon Slater, who was Olivier-nominated for Constellations, and was musical director on the National Theatre’s highly-acclaimed recent production of Amadeus.
The central character of Richard Hannay is played by Sam Jenkins-Shaw, a co-founder of Out Of The Forest theatre company, and a co-creator of their show Bury The Hatchet, which has just returned from a US tour.
He has also been seen in Future Conditional at the Old Vic and The Bashful Lover at the Globe.
Playing no less than 138 other characters between them are Amelia Donkor, Laura Kirman and Niall Ransome.
The 39 Steps can be seen in the Round at the SJT, until Saturday, August 25.
Tickets, priced from £10, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at sjt.uk.com
It then tours to Theatr Clywd, where it can be seen from September 11 to 22.
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